PG&E Encourages Customers to Enroll in Energy Incentive Programs to Reduce Energy Costs and Stress on the Grid

As the summer heat intensifies in California and energy demand increases, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is urging customers to participate in its energy incentive programs. The SmartAC Smart Thermostat and Power Saver Rewards programs allow residential customers to lower their overall energy costs by shifting energy use to hours when the grid demand is lower and renewable energy resources are more plentiful. These programs reward participants for being flexible with their energy usage, helping to reduce the state's emissions footprint and alleviate stress on the grid.

Key Takeaways:

• The SmartAC Smart Thermostat program is a voluntary initiative implemented by Uplight that rewards customers for adjusting their air conditioning (AC) load during high-demand hours, earning them money and helping prevent power interruptions.
• Customers can enroll in the Smart Thermostat program under the SmartAC program, with automatic shifts occurring on extreme heat days between June 1-Oct. 31.
• Participants with existing smart thermostats receive $75 when signing up, or $120 off a new smart thermostat, with an additional $25 payment at the end of the SmartAC season.
• The program is open to PG&E electric service customers with a Wi-Fi enabled smart thermostat and is limited to one enrollment reward per household.
• As of the report, the SmartAC Smart Thermostat program is approaching 100,000 participants, expected to reach a milestone in the coming weeks.
• Jason Glickman, PG&E Executive Vice President, emphasized the environmental benefits of these programs, shifting energy use to times when more clean generation powers the state's electric grid.
• Glickman also highlighted the win-win aspect of these programs, providing customers with financial benefits and helping to prevent rotating outages.

Statistics:

• 100,000 participants are expected to be in the SmartAC Smart Thermostat program in the coming weeks.
• $75 payment is offered to existing smart thermostat customers when signing up for the program.
• $120 discount is available for new smart thermostat purchases through the program.
• $25 payment is provided to participants at the end of the SmartAC season.
• The program is open to PG&E electric service customers with at least one Wi-Fi enabled smart thermostat.

Sources:

• "PG&E Encourages Customers to Enroll in Energy Incentive Programs to Reduce Energy Costs and Stress on the Grid" (VerticalNews)
• Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
• Uplight